I planned a huge 11 day trip through mainland Japan back in June 2018, as our last trip in Asia. We visited Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Fukuoka; I really wanted to make a stop in Iwakuni but we didn’t have time. We flew into Kansai Airport in Osaka, took the shinkansen (bullet train) and then flew back to Oki from Fukuoka Airport. I booked 3 different types of accommodations, hostel, Airbnb apartment and guesthouse.
In Osaka we stayed at the Nerarel Hostel, which is right next to Namba train station and one stop away from Dotonbori Street. On our first night we, of course, explored Dotonbori, this amazing shopping/food area we’ve visited before. We ate at a restaurant called Kushikatsu Daruma that serves deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. I mean you can’t go wrong with deep fried everything!!
We also went on the Don Quijote ferris wheel which has been a major symbol of the area but wasn’t functioning for years. It is the largest (77 meters or 252 feet) and only ovular one in operation in the world. It opened back up in January 2018, so of course we had to ride it! My husband is scared of heights but he went up with me… and totally regretted his decision (HA!). It takes about 15 minutes to go around once, but the views were unbeatable.
^^ the cutest manhole cover of Osaka castle ^^
^ ^ the signs are one of the best parts of Dotonbori! ^ ^
^^ how insane is this ferris wheel!! ^^
^ ^ we went back again the next night and of course had to eat okonomiyaki for dinner^ ^
See more from our trip: Kiyomizudera Temple | Exploring Kobe + Cafe Freundlieb | Nunobiki Herb Garden | Ikuta Shrine | Himeji Castle | Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park | Hiroshima Castle + Gokoku Shrine | Miyajima Pt. 1 | Miyajima Pt. 2 | Fukuoka Castle Ruins + Ohori Park | Nanzoin Temple + Tochoji Temple + Kushida Shrine |
